Switch mechanism.



E. J. PAGE. h SWITCH MEGHANISM. APPLICATION FILED DEG.10, 1912. RBNEWBD 00T. 22. 1914.

1,1 199719 PatentedDeo. 1,1914.

UNITED Fran ai v EDGAR J'. PACE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 NATIONAL STREETAND STATION INDICATOR COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA..

Specification of Letters Patent.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

Patented Dec. 1, 191e..

Application led December 10, 1912, Serial No. 735,954. Renewed October 22, 1914. Serial No. 868,124.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, EDGAR J. PACE, a clti.-

zen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch Mechanisms, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in my switch mechanisms for which I have made application for U. S. Letters Patent on December 23rd, 1911, bearing- S. N. 667,439; and the improvements consist generally in certain changes for. greater efficiency which will be hereinafter fully described and pointed out.

Fundamentally, the present improvement consists in the use of a switch needle mechanism in combination with two-main or primary magnets, one arranged on each side.

In my formerly described mechanism, of

the application above referred to, I have used a pivoted magnetic needle and a single actuating magnet spaced therefrom, the magnetic lines of force, being conducted from the actuating magnet tothe pivoted needle through a track late over which the l,whole device passes. lthoughV the funda- .mentalsof operation of .this formerly described device are precisely the same las of the device about to be described, I- have found upon repeated practice that the first form does not operate with absolute uniformity inboth directions of travel; that is, it will operate with more certainty and with kgenerally better efficiency when the movement causes the needle to pass over the track -plate after the magnet, rather than when-the movement is in: the opposite relative direction and causes the needle to first come over the track plate. To obviate this difficulty I have devised a double arrangement, symmetrical with respect to'a central plane perpendicular to the line of movement; so that the device acts equally well when moving in either direction.l The foregoing is the fundamental advantage of the resent specific form vof switch mechanism; ut there are other advantages which will be pointed out in the following detailed specification. y l

I have shown in the accompanying drawings myv now preferred fol'mfjd'eviceand I have also shown a diagram indicating the nature of the magnetic action.

In the drawings; Figure 1 is aj'side ele.-

` 'Aslrlel rubber 'limit vmovement vation illustrating the complete arrangement of the whole mechanism. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the magnetic action thereof.' Fig. 3 is a detail showing the arrargement of the needle and its magnetizing co1 In the drawing 10 may designate the body of a car on which the movable portions of the switch mechanism-are carried, and 11 may designate the track plate over which the movable portions pass.

12 designates the main orY primary maonets which are supported from the car body 10, and 13 designates generally vthe switch mechanism,`including the movable pivoted needle 14 and its magnetizing coil 15.

. Each of the ma ets 12 may be of any desired` design annof suilicient magnetic strength to cause the operation of theswitch device. Thelower poles of the magnets may preferably be provided with horizontal magnetic pieces 20 from which depends other lmagnetic pieces 21 hanging in close roXimity to the track plate. The object o the attachments to the lower poles of the magnets y 12 is-to effect eicienttransmission of the magnetisminto the track. plate 1'1. The lower extremities of the magnets are of4 same polarity; so that the track plate is Iiragnetized with likel polarities -at its ends and with a central consequent pole. The lines of. force through the system are generally indicated in Fig. 2; and it will be seen that there is a fairly uniform field with lines. running vertically above the central portion-- of 'the n track plate 11. This central field will in- .,cludeand act upon the whole of theneedle 'fl'.avrepelling one end of the needle and attracting the other end toward the track thereby,` is composed'as 'is best shown vin *Figs. 1 and 3. There is provided a suitable non-magnetic inclosing casing 30 in which is suspended .the magnetizing coil 15 on 'suitable supports 31. The needle 14 is suitably pivoted at' 32 within 'the magnetizingjcoil and normally stands lAin aboutthe position buffer 33 is provided to of the needle inthe directhat indicated. Whenthe intenmein Fig.

tion.. opposite 'to needle .passes over-fthe track plate, and is subjected to the magnetic influence L1hereto-Y causes theoperation of the switch 35. Switch 35 may be connected with the needle in any desired manner; but l may prefer its opera,

tion through the medium of suitable gears 36 and 37. rlhe switch itselt1 is formed by a contact 38 on the gear 37, or on a part carried thereby, adapted to engage with a contact arm or linger 39 mounted upon a small frame 40 carried by the magnetizing coil l5. The connecting wires to the various parts run to binding posts 41 which are mounted on the insulated block l2 at the upper side of casing 30. l have sllmvn the switch mechanism as being arranged higher above the track plate than are the'magnets 12. rllhe switch mechanism may be arranged as high as is possible to prevent it striking any obstacles upon the track; and when it is at any great height a magnetic conductor may be hung from the traclr plate to the needle. (This expedient is illustrated in the application hereinbefore referred to.) ln my application, hereinbe fore referred to, the normal ,position ol the needle la .was in. a direction inclined oppo- 'sitely to the inclination shown in Fig. l but l now prefer to have the needle normally in the Yposition shown in l Fig. 2, being held therein by` any suitable arrangement, such as a slight gravitational balance ,tending to return 1t to that position.

Having described my invention, l claim:

l. ln combination, two separate and distinct sources of magnetism spaced apart from each other, a magnetically movable needle between the two sources, .and a mag ynetic conductor, the said sources and needle being movable relative to the conductor into and ont el proximity thereto.

if). ln combination, two separate and distinct sources of magnetism` spaced apart trom each other, a magnetized between the two sources, ano a magnetic conductor, the said sources and needle being :movable relative to the conductor into ana ont of proximity theretoB 3. ln combination, a air oil' magnets spaced apart, a magnetical y movable needle placed between them, and a magnetic conductor, said sources and needle being movable tege ier in such relation tothe condnc tor that they may be moved simultaneously into proximity to the conductor.

4l. ln combination, a pair of magnets spaced apart, a centrally pivot-ed needle placed midway betwee: the magnets, a mag netizing coil lor the needle., and a magnetic conductor over which the magnets and the needle are adanted to pass, the relc"ive aru rangement of t e being sach tiet the nivel/ed needle .nay or idioma magnets and needle may all be moved simultaneously into proximity to the conductor.

'.5. ln combination, a pair of magnets spaced apart, a centrally' pivotedl needle placed midway between the magnets, a stationary magnetizing coil surrounding the needle, and a magnetic conductor over which the magnets and the needle are adapted to pass, the relative arrangement of the parts being such that the magnets and needle may all be moved simultaneously into proximity 'to the conductor.

6. lin combination, a pair or" magnets spaced apart, a centrally pivoted needle placed midway between the magnets, a ,mag netizing coil lor the needle, the needle being pivoted on an anis transverse to the mag netic ams of the coil, and a magnetic con, ductor over which. the magnets and the lneedle are adapted to pass, the relative arrangement ot the parts being such that the magnets and needle may all be moved simultaneonsly into proximity to the conductor.

" 7.' lln combination, a pair ol' magnets lill.

lill

spaced apart horizontally and arranged with like poles below, a needle mechanism arranged midway between the two magnets, said mechanism. comprismg an annular mag- ,netiaing coil, a needle gravitationally bal'- ancedlon and symmetrically arranged with respect to a pivot transverse or the magnetic anis ol the coil, and a magnetic conductor over lwlnich the electro-magnets and the needlev mechanism are adapted to pass, the conductor being inductively energized by the electro-magnets to produce a central conseguentpole and by virtue ci such magnetization moving the needle by magnetic traction.v

il. :in combination, a pair of magnets spaced apart horizontally and arranged with like poles below, a magnetically movable needle pivoted midway the two magnets, and a magnetic conductor over which the magnets and needle may pass, the .conductor being ci" such dimensions that when the needle is over its central portion the mag nets willb over its ends.A i

` ation, two separate and disfinct sources of magnetism spaced apart ircm each other, aI magnetically actnable mechanism between the two sources, a magnetic conductor, the said sources lili lllii lillmechanism being movable relative he conductor into and out of proximity .ln witness that-l claim the for have hereunto subscribed my name .u

ller v ber, i912. 

